By Rebecca Tam
Those Who Helped Us is a graphic novel based on the real-life experiences of Japanese American families dealing with fallout from the attack on Pearl Harbor and the hardships they faced during World War II. Author Ken Mochizuki, who also wrote the award-winning children’s book, Baseball Saved Us, tells this story from the perspective of a young Japanese American girl, Sumiko Tanaka, or Sumi, who enjoys playing basketball. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Sumi and her family are forced to leave their home in Seattle and are sent to an incarceration camp by the U.S. government. The family faces many challenges in the incarceration camp, with poor living conditions including sanitary issues and a lack of privacy. Despite their hardships, the Tanaka family finds hope and support from unexpected sources. For example, they receive help from friends and neighbors, such as Sumi’s school principal, Miss Mahon, and Reverend Emery Andrews. Back home, their allies stand beside them even though they receive backlash from others and get called “Jap Lovers.” Overall, Sumi’s story offers a powerful message of resilience and the importance of community support during misfortune.
Mochizuki’s novel teaches young readers about this dark period in American history and encourages them to reflect on the importance of standing up against discrimination and racism. I would say that this novel is suitable for readers ages 8-13 years old who are interested in history or the graphic novel format, because although the book discusses mature themes like discrimination and prejudice, it presents them in a way that is simple, relatable to young readers, and age-appropriate. It also offers some positive reactions from non-Japanese American citizens, showing that not everyone was against Japanese Americans then.
As well as this being a kid-friendly read, Sumi’s character breaks typical Asian American stereotypes. Oftentimes, the media portrays Asian American characters as studious and socially awkward outcasts. Sumi, on the other hand, is an athletic, basketball-loving girl, a persona that’s not associated with Asian Americans. This character archetype uplifts children who may identify with Sumi, and it helps break stereotypes by challenging oversimplified characteristics and promoting a wider outlook of what someone of a certain race can be like. For more advanced readers, they can find symbolism in Sumi’s love for basketball. Basketball is a sport that requires coordination, communication, and overall teamwork. In many ways, Sumi’s love for basketball represents her desire for connection and community. Throughout the story, Sumi struggles with feelings of isolation and loneliness as she is one of the few Japanese American students in her school, and then, she is sent to the incarceration camp and away from her friends. By playing basketball, Sumi can find a sense of belonging and identity. The sport allows her to have an outlet for her frustration. Mochizuki uses basketball and Sumi’s passion for the sport to symbolize the resilience and determination of the Japanese American community during this period of history.
My only issue with this novel is that the story almost felt like a laundry list of “this happened and then that happened next.” The story’s plot points include topics like Sumi playing basketball with her friends, moving out of Seattle and her school to the incarceration camp, receiving care packages and visits from people like Reverend Andy, dealing with the poor conditions, etc. I would also say that the art style lacks depth and appears bland unless colored like the cover. In parts that are supposed to be heartfelt and heavy, the art style feels dull in comparison. Illustrator Kiku Hughes also illustrated a similar book called Displacement. In that novel, Hughes’ illustrations are colored in and promote more realism, and have a more significant emotional impact on the reader.
Compared to Star Trek actor, author, and activist George Takei’s graphic novel They Called Us Enemy, Mochizuki focuses on the empathy and kindness of the Tanaka family’s community. On the other hand, Takei’s memoir has detailed memories and the activism that emerged from his experiences being incarcerated at Rohwer and Tule Lake. In my opinion, Takei’s novel has a better ‘conclusion’ and offers a more effective art style. In panels like when Takei sees his mother crying, the readers feel less moved by the words than by the illustrations. Takei’s novel is more suitable for advanced readers, who are fans of Star Trek and his earlier work, because he goes into depth about his career afterward.
Readers who want to learn about the history of Japanese Americans during World War II can find appeal in both They Called Us Enemy and Those Who Helped Us. Overall, I recommend Those Who Helped Us to 8-13 year olds who enjoy the graphic novel format. Young readers can learn about the more adult issues presented, like racism, in an age-appropriate way.
Those Who Helped Us is available from Bookshop, Japanese American National Museum, Loyalty Bookstore, Townie Books, Vroman’s Bookstore, and Waucoma Bookstore.
Rebecca Tam is a university student from Los Angeles who loves editing in her free time. She is the media editor of Soapberry Review.